[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6602351,"mediaKeyId","3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2","parentId",3001427,"title","Council approves naming training tower for Chief Pete Bolzer and several resolutions on sidewalks, floodplain fines and right‑of‑way purchase","audioSeconds",39,"startMs",5744000,"endMs",5783000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2&start=5744&end=5783","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2/thumbnail_5744000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6602351/Brookings/Brookings-County/South-Dakota/Council-approves-naming-training-tower-for-Chief-Pete-Bolzer-and-several-resolutions-on-sidewalks-floodplain-fines-and-rightofway-purchase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602351-4ef7b676ee2482e8f7cbd0c269b6345a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200809&Signature=DHyv71EY~M5RuD-c7ZJbFCFR40I6Sa2J59ZROZP1n3f74VIx-0qyoaF26m7sI0WYegTqULenanw2y1TIfuIjX8UzmYFe3-y3SnbZH166hfDUB5YOhNd6FXMv8~ynYn~73KuhOGIoPsz3b-7JGpZPjX17w1jzEQ2cXaaV0zZDn~rBYE0NVd1MZbEUCZ~s3BMpuAY-1DH6u-p3wpqsXygOHf1GvnZxIuQdoEOUW6hzbvnce248ZldSIW0AV3HnSbjpVz~kY3nAqgXS2u7s3YGxpSE4MeNe0MclVQniCsdL~JphtEieEDWqqNKL47YAjWupqUFzQ8HxKqXzycpuIAsYMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Brookings","date","2025-04-16T01:32:06.973Z","article","The Brookings City Council voted on a set of resolutions and ordinances, approving the naming of the city fire training tower for longtime Fire Chief Pete Bolzer and adopting measures on sidewalk repairs, floodplain‑related fines and a right‑of‑way purchase for 20th Street South.

Naming the training tower: Council approved Resolution 25‑033 to name the city's fire-training tower in honor of Chief Pete Bolzer, who is retiring after more than 25 years with the Brookings Fire Department and more than 45 years in emergency services. City staff recommended the action, noting Bolzer's emphasis on firefighter safety and training. The motion to approve received a second and passed on a recorded roll call with Mayor Neimeyer and council members voting in the affirmative.

Sidewalk repair assessments: The council approved Resolution 25‑032, which determines the necessity of repairing and installing sidewalks identified in the city's annual sidewalk program and authorizes staff to bid the project. Public Works Director John Thompson said staff identified 68 locations in 2024; 13 are city responsibility and 55 are the responsibility of abutting property owners. Of the private parcels, 28 owners opted into the city repair project, one owner already completed repairs, two will hire contractors and 24 had not responded. Owners who opt in will be assessed repair costs plus a 6% administrative fee; qualifying low‑income property owners can be referred to the Interlakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP) for assistance.

Floodplain‑ordinance fines: The council approved Resolution 25‑035 to establish fines tied to the city’s recently amended floodplain ordinance (Ordinance 25‑010). Public Works staff said the ordinance language, required to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, includes enforcement provisions and allows the council by resolution to adopt penalties. The council adopted a tiered fine schedule (first offense $300 plus court costs; higher amounts for subsequent offenses) and directed staff to attempt cooperative correction with property owners before seeking enforcement through the courts.

Right‑of‑way acquisition for 20th Street South: The council approved Resolution 25‑031 authorizing the city manager to acquire approximately 7,938 square feet of property from the Paul E. Moriarty Living Trust for future right‑of‑way at an agreed price of $158,005.22. Staff said the purchase secures alignment ahead of anticipated development on the northwestern corner and that sufficient funds exist in the 2025 capital budget.

Roll calls and voting: Each resolution was approved after motions and seconds; roll calls recorded council members voting in the affirmative on the listed items. The council also approved routine consent-agenda items earlier in the meeting.

No litigation, annexation or zoning changes were enacted as part of these votes; implementation steps include bidding the sidewalk work, referral of qualifying owners to ICAP for assistance and finalizing acquisition paperwork for the right‑of‑way.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 4/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved a resolution naming the city's fire training tower for Chief Pete Bolzer and passed resolutions on sidewalk repairs, fines tied to the floodplain ordinance and a right‑of‑way acquisition for 20th Street South.","taxTitle","Brookings, Brookings County, South Dakota","taxId",68683,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602356,"City updates recovery plan after downtown Brookings fire; 320 Main declared total loss",74,4451000,4525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2&start=4451&end=4525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2/thumbnail_4451000.jpg","/articles/6602356/Brookings/Brookings-County/South-Dakota/City-updates-recovery-plan-after-downtown-Brookings-fire-320-Main-declared-total-loss","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602356-aa1693822692e1ac995f572096e734c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200809&Signature=g9XcXvE~1Fl4~ARkZB7Mxv7uk1izyyZg~I3NXzHyZqD~XpjDZA9UKbxjALWvudYl379vcKxwzqO7Oz93SCOJTp06PdUVrq4gezkLtElLcQGQFAVn7LYUgG~h7HWi5eOi0t7-1N7rxoC~1W3woql-s39l~x~vc4IJn-C5V6FsAaOFLKLG7wQzW5QYURQUJFbRMZLhziMlDrcWPj0EctheJArkWsc1Z28DkmsZGvukohoGZfbV5PC5FHRzhSSGEaoheMUdQmCZbrEWHyR4FwfEiZaV2pnVnM4MG0N~FXRmDD2G3Xintg-tApKkrAtVKgi53EZjguyfyLgGvF73ir3-KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the Brookings City Council on recovery and next steps after a downtown fire that began Dec. 30, 2024, saying one building at 320 Main Avenue has been declared a total loss while others are undergoing structural assessment and restoration planning.

Jake Meske, speaking for city staff, said the fire impacted structures at 314, 318, 320 and 322 Main Avenue. He said the city convened a fire response task force made up of staff from multiple departments — the city manager's office, fire and police departments, public works, community development and municipal utilities — to coordinate communications, site remediation and reviews under municipal and state historic-preservation rules.

Meske said the 314 Main Avenue building \"has been determined to be structurally sound and undergoing restoration efforts with a target of being operational in summer 2025.\" He said 318 Main Avenue (Bros Fashions), where the fire originated, had a recent structural analysis and quotes for debris removal; the owner submitted a Section 11-1 review with the State Historic Preservation Office.

\"That building has been declared a total loss,\" Meske said of 320 Main Avenue, and he said demolition permits and historic-preservation approvals had been obtained for removal of that structure. Work to shore a shared wall at 322 Main Avenue (the Exchange) is ongoing; Meske said completion of the shoring is required before demolition of the adjacent 320 Main Avenue can proceed.

Meske said timelines are fluid because they depend on historic-preservation reviews, demolition and building permits, contractor availability and weather. He said the majority of impacted property owners have expressed interest in monthly coordination meetings with the city and Downtown Brookings to share progress and identify cooperation opportunities. The city plans to provide monthly updates to the council and supplement with press releases and social-media communications as appropriate.

Council members asked for additional timelines; Meske reiterated that the goal is to see things move this construction season but noted the city would avoid promising fixed dates where factors are outside owners' control.","City staff reported on cleanup and preservation work after a December downtown fire, saying one building is a total loss, another is structurally sound and restoration work is planned this construction season.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6602361,"Brookings council interviews seven applicants to fill vacant seat; appointment set for April 22",6184,167000,6351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2&start=167&end=6351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001427-90ae1edf4e924ba6f4c0b44f3d4020b2/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6602361/Brookings/Brookings-County/South-Dakota/Brookings-council-interviews-seven-applicants-to-fill-vacant-seat-appointment-set-for-April-22","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602361-81efaa731c793d70ed549bda4dcb195b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200809&Signature=PtQT-CHO6CPtmnIaNPaZWIItJgcHnsYcVy2VKFPoSWyuyIjqCbUiJsrWvvHgluvTmPCIzL8mQUUFCrH7FVNX9OTqY-jiEHoBLIhpSBqjrGhuqM-Z~UHNFpu51TVpNGeX1f6GHDoH4pj2iBsTGIDKosPitkekoFILKFclPHJgCaaXer8gNcu~KjmpRqG-muduBN66DoZbDmLFlAhp7c7CTofwcs7bErAIxJCDsPbDnguqjfjLFAar0DjxZbCYquRaqTWh596hw2WLtoN35d1ypfnfQHd~deVZDPJTQ-sfJc3YFy9BWbSkzLe6Z~MLRj95tpXsHhLTlVuAdr9l59Mqtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brookings City Council held interviews for seven applicants to fill a vacant council seat, heard public comment favoring one candidate and set a formal appointment for April 22, with a swearing-in scheduled for the May 13 council meeting.

Council opened the interview portion of the meeting by announcing the applicants would be heard in alphabetical order and allotted up to 10 minutes each, with the council asking questions after each presentation. Mayor Neimeyer presided over the session. The applicants who spoke were Al Ostrom, Larry Ayers, Lisa Hager, Michael Lambertus, Blake Stevenson (who later withdrew his application), and Zeno Wicks; the transcript also notes an applicant named Mark Lee withdrew earlier.

The interviews centered on housing affordability, youth and recreation programming, community engagement and how each candidate would work with city staff. Al Ostrom, a longtime local business owner, emphasized his campaign experience and community ties, saying, \"My commitment also is seen in the 3 decades in which I have made Brookings my home.\" He told council members he had run in two recent elections and narrowly missed winning, noting his belief that people who collect signatures and run campaigns demonstrate commitment to public service.

Other applicants described their backgrounds and priorities. Larry Ayers, a retired educator, highlighted experience with workforce programs and inclusive employment initiatives. Lisa Hager, an associate professor at SDSU who served as vice chair of the Brookings Charter Review Commission, said she would focus on affordable housing, workforce recruitment and childcare and noted she would \"make a point to go to various events\" to engage residents outside regular meetings. Michael Lambertus, a retired firefighter and Avera manager, said he sought to continue public service after his emergency-service career. Blake Stevenson withdrew his application during the session, saying he could not give the time the council role would demand and endorsing Lisa Hager.

Several members of the public addressed the council during the public-comment portion. Multiple speakers, including Tim Gatormson, Jeff West and John Mills, urged the council to appoint Al Ostrom; commenters cited his business experience, community involvement and previous campaign performance. One resident, Jane Kafer, expressed concern about growth in the joint jurisdiction south of city limits and said she had discussed that issue with Ostrom.

Council members said they would accept additional public feedback while preparing for the appointment. The council posted a proposed appointment for April 22; the mayor noted the swearing-in would occur May 13 unless circumstances change.","Council interviewed seven applicants for a vacant Brookings City Council seat, heard public comments urging appointment of Al Ostrom, and set a formal appointment for April 22 with swearing-in planned May 13.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves naming training tower for Chief Pete Bolzer and several resolutions on sidewalks, floodplain fines and right‑of‑way purchase

City updates recovery plan after downtown Brookings fire; 320 Main declared total loss

Brookings council interviews seven applicants to fill vacant seat; appointment set for April 22